In one paragraph
Not law. SB 1455, Missouri's Senate version of the GUARD Act, would have made it unlawful to design or offer an AI chatbot knowing or recklessly disregarding that it risks soliciting minors into sexually explicit conduct, or that it encourages suicide, self-injury or violence (fines up to $100,000 per offense). Operators would have had to require accounts, verify every user's age, freeze existing accounts until verified, bar minors from their chatbots, and disclose at the start of each conversation and every 30 minutes that the chatbot is AI, not a human. It was referred to committee and got no further action before the May 15, 2026 deadline for passing bills.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died, so it creates no obligations for chatbot operators in Missouri. A similar House bill, HB 2032, also died.
Key provisions
- Unlawful to design, develop or offer an AI chatbot knowing or recklessly disregarding that it risks soliciting minors into sexually explicit conduct or into creating sexually explicit images; fine up to $100,000 per offense
- Same for chatbots that encourage, promote or coerce suicide, self-injury or imminent physical or sexual violence
- User accounts required; existing accounts frozen as of August 28, 2026 until the user provides age data; new users' ages verified with a reasonable age verification process
- Minors barred from all of the operator's chatbots; verified accounts reviewed periodically; third-party age verification allowed; personal data protected
- Chatbots must say they are AI, not human, at the start of each conversation and every 30 minutes, and may not claim to be a licensed professional
- Attorney General civil actions
- Prefiled December 19, 2025; referred to the Senate General Laws Committee February 5, 2026; no further action before the May 15, 2026 deadline for passing bills
Latest legislative action
Feb 5, 2026. Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee; no further action before the 2026 regular session ended
Sponsors
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Eslinger | Primary |
| Hudson, Brad R | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error